I. The sublime perfection of this evangelical prayer

is marvellous and we ought to thank God fervently for
it. So admirably is it composed by the good Master
that everybody may apply its meaning to his own wants.
I am astonished at finding all perfection and contempla-

1 Valladolid edition, ch. xxxix. ; Escorial, continuation of
ch. Ixv.

252 THE WAY OF PERFECTION. [CHAP. XXXVII.

tion comprised in it/ so that there seems no need to
study any other writings. For here our Lord has un-
folded to us mental prayer from its very beginning,
through the prayer of quiet and union, up to the most
high and perfect contemplation. Therefore, if I had
not already written about it elsewhere, and also for the
reason that I dare not enlarge upon it as the results would
only be exasperating, I could, were I able to express
myself, write a large book on prayer, based upon this
solid foundation. Our Lord here shows us, as you have
seen, the effects of prayer and contemplation when they
are divine graces.

2. I have sometimes wondered why His Majesty did
not speak more clearly on such sublime subjects, so that
we might all understand His meaning : then I reflected
that perhaps Christ left the meaning obscure because
this prayer was meant for all men, and thus each one
might ask for what he wanted and might feel happy in
the idea that he was using the words in their right sense.
Blessed be His Name to endless ages. Amen. I implore
the Father, for His Son’s sake, to remit all my debts

2 Blessed Angela of Foligno said : “ I recited the ‘ Our Father ’
with so much contrition and recollection, pronouncing every
word, that, though I was plunged in great anguish by the thought
of my sins, I yet received immense consolation, and tasted
something of the bliss God grants His beloved ones. I have
never found a better way for realising His mercy than by saying
the prayer which Jesus Himself taught us.” {Miniature Lives
of the Saints, by Rev. H. S. Bowden.)

CHAP. XXXVII.] APPLIES TO ALL. 253

and grievous sins, for there is neither cause nor person
that requires forgiveness from me. Every day I have
fresh need for pardon, and may He grant me the grace
of having something to offer Him, each day, in com-
pensation* for my own offences. Contemplatives and
very devout people who seek no earthly goods, may
ask for the heavenly favours, which, by the great mercy
of God, can be enjoyed while we still live in this world.
The good Jesus has here taught us a most celestial prayer
by which He seeks that we may resemble the angels
while still in exile here, if we strive, with all our might,
to conform our actions to the petitions we make — in
short, if we do our best to be the children of such a
Father and fit brethren of such a Brother. As I said,
if His Majesty sees that our works conform to our words.
He will not fail to grant our prayers, to establish His
kingdom within us and to aid us with supernatural
graces, such as the prayer of quiet, perfect contemplation,
and the other favours with which God rewards our small
efforts. People who live in the world do right in con-
forming to the duties of their state, and may hereby
ask for the bread that they require to maintain their
households. This is right and just, as it is for them to
pray for whatever else they need. But, let them notice
that the two things — yielding up our will and forgiving
others, apply to everybody. It is true that there are
degrees in the way of carrying them out — perfect souls

254 'I'HE WAY OF PERFECTION. [CHAP. XXXVII.

resign their will perfectly and pardon wrongs with the
perfection I described/ while as for us, sisters — well —
we do our best, and our Lord receives all we offer Him.
We can neither do nor gain much for ourselves, but, as
it is all we can do, God is sure to help us, since His
Son begs Him to do so. Christ seems to have made a
sort of agreement on our behalf with His eternal Father,
as if He had said : “ Lord, if Thou doest this. My
brethren shall do that.”

3. It is certain that He will never fail on His part
and oh, what a Paymaster He is, and how boundless
are His rewards ! It is possible, daughters, that, as
He sees that there is no duplicity about us, but that we
shall fulfil our promises, some day when we say this
prayer He will leave us rich. Never practise any evasion
with Him, for His Majesty is greatly pleased if we are
sincere with Him. We can never succeed in deceiving
Him, because He knows all things. Do not say one thing
and mean another : if we treat Him with truth and
candour. He will always give us more than we ask for.
Our kind Master knows that those who tend to great
perfection by reciting of this prayer will reach to a high
degree by means of the graces the eternal Father will

® Although the administrator of the archdiocese was strongly
opposed to the foundation at Toledo, St. Teresa always spoke
well of him and told the nuns to pray specially for him. (De-
position of Mary of St. Francis. Fuente, vol. vi. 310 n., 10.)

CHAP. XXXVII.] REWARDS. 255

bestow on them, and that perfect souls, or those who
are on the road to become perfect, have already trodden
the world beneath their feet, at which the Sovereign of
the universe is well pleased. These souls, from the
effects they discover in themselves, may feel a strong
hope that His Majesty is contented with them, and,
inebriated with these delights, they would not willingly
remember the present world, nor that they have any
enemies. O eternal Wisdom ! O great Teacher ! What
a boon it is, daughters, to have such a good Master, Who
is wise and prudent and Who wards off all dangers !
This is all that a devout soul could desire, for it means
perfect safety.

4. No words can exaggerate the importance of this.
Our Lord saw that it was necessary to arouse such souls,
and to remind them that they had enemies and that
there is even greater danger in their growing careless :
He knew that they have more urgent need than others
of help from the eternal Father, because they would
fall from a greater height. That they might also be
guarded from being unwittingly deceived. He offered this
petition, so necessary for us all, while we live in the
exile of this world : “ Lead us not into temptation,
BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL, LORD.”

256

THE WAY OF PERFECTION. [CHAP. XXXVIII.